Sterling scored 18 times in 33 league appearances in 2017/18 and has started this season well too, with two goals in three matches.

City are eager to reward the England international for his fine form and are in talks with his agent over a new deal, with his current one due to expire in 2020.

And, according to The Times, Sterling is seeking an increase in salary from £175,000-a-week to £275,000-a-week, including bonuses and image rights.

City have tied down a number of key men to new deals in recent months, including Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Fernandinho, Gabriel Jesus and Ederson and are now confident Sterling will extend his stay at the club.

City reported record revenues of £500.5million during the 2017/18 campaign, with a profit of £10.4million making it a fourth successive year in the black.

But they have to mindful of Financial Fair Play, meaning contracts are heavily incentivised, with bonuses, image rights and signing-on fees spread over the duration of deals.

Sterling is expected to feature for City against Fulham on Saturday despite missing England’s internationals against Spain and Switzerland with a back problem.